Diya's Documentary Shines a Light on Female Gaffers in Film Industry

Suriya and Jyotika, two renowned actors from the Indian film industry, recently shared their immense pride in their daughter Diya’s documentary Leading Light—The Untold Stories of Women Behind the Scenes. 

The documentary sheds light on the struggles of female gaffers in the film industry, an often-overlooked role in filmmaking.

Challenge

In the male-dominated entertainment industry, female gaffers face various forms of discrimination. 

Gaffers, who are responsible for the lighting on film sets, play a crucial part in the filmmaking process. 

Yet, women in this role often struggle to gain the recognition and respect they deserve. 

Diya, recognizing this, chose to create a documentary that highlights their experiences and brings attention to the issue.

The Project

At the age of 13, Diya directed a 13-minute documentary, which features interviews with women gaffers working in the Hindi film industry. 

Through their stories, she shines a light on their professional challenges and the discrimination they face. 

Diya’s passion for filmmaking and her dedication to telling untold stories is evident in the thoughtful way she approached the project. 

The documentary has garnered recognition, winning Best Student Short Film and a special jury award for Best Screenwriter at the Triloka International Filmfare Awards.

Parental Support

Diya’s parents, Suriya and Jyotika, shared their pride on Instagram. Suriya posted the documentary’s poster and wrote a heartfelt message, expressing how proud he is of his daughter’s work. 

He called her documentary inspiring and encouraged her to continue following her passion. 

Jyotika also shared her admiration, highlighting how Diya tackled the issue of discrimination in her student film and thanking her for bringing attention to such an important topic.

Results

Diya’s documentary was well-received, not only by her parents but by audiences and film critics alike. 

The film’s success at the awards and its positive reception on YouTube underscore the importance of the stories it tells.

Conclusion

Diya’s documentary is a remarkable example of how young filmmakers can use their platform to address social issues. 

With the support of her parents and her own passion for storytelling, Diya has created a film that is both meaningful and impactful.